Thais celebrate 60th anniversary of monarch's rule

About one million Thais converged on central Bangkok on Friday to catch a rare glimpse of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, on the 60th anniversary of his rule.

The 78-year-old king addressed the crowd while on a throne on the balcony of a marble palace. Hecalled for national unity after months of political turmoil.

"I am elevated after seeing all these people gathered together. This reminds me of the good virtue of unity, which has helped our Thai people to preserve our nation and will help develop our country in future," he said.

Thais wearing yellow shirts to honour their revered monarch listened intently to King Bhumibol's first public audience in seven years.

The King's colour is yellow and he was driven through the crowd in a yellow Rolls-Royce.

Yellow a sign of devotion

All around the cavalcade, there was a sea of yellow with Thais wearing the colour as a sign of devotion to their monarch.

A spokesperson for the Thai Prime Minister's Office says the demand for yellow shirts is so great that they are selling for four times the price they were a week ago.

"We are trying to impose a price control now for yellow shirts in Thailand," said Suranand Vejjajiva.

Thais have been given a five-day holiday to celebrate their King's anniversary.